Category Archives: Global Warming/Climate Change

22

The Inescapable Reality of Economic Tradeoffs: Environmental Econ 101

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HT over to Mark Perry @ Carpe Diem a few days ago.  Mark highlights the unintended (but perfectly predictable) consequences of environmental restrictions on new pipeline development in the Northeast part of the United States.  Mr. Perry asks the question:  “Why is LNG coming 4,500 miles to Boston from the Russian Arctic when the US is the world’s No. 1 natural gas producer? In the article, Mr. Perry links to a Boston Globe op-ed which subsequently  picked up on his theme:… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Global Warming/Climate Change, How not to do political economy

8

“How Do You Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm When They’ve See ‘Gay’ Paris”*

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President Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement.  I will say at the outset that I support this move.  Let’s settle the “legal” issues first.  The agreement was not a treaty, and was not ratified by the Senate.  It might be classified as an executive agreement or as a simple presidential agreement.  The courts have never held an agreement other than a treaty as binding in an attempt to leave that agreement.  That should settle that–unless of course some… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Economic Growth, Economic Liberty, Global Warming/Climate Change, Government Power, How not to do political economy, Politics--General, Poverty, regulation, Religion and Science

4

The Next Step Toward the Brave New World

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Wesley Smith wrote a short news item on “The Corner” in National Review Online, and linking a longer article in First Things, in which he mentions that in New Zealand and India, a few rivers have now been granted formal rights, allowing them, through their lawyers, to sue on behalf of themselves.  They were legally declared persons under law.  (See http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/446347/rivers-given-rights.  I saw this coming almost 40 years ago, in a couple of articles in law reviews as well as… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Economic Growth, Global Warming/Climate Change, Government Power, Moral Philosophy and Ethics, Poverty, Religion and Science

2

Climate Change Advocates Don’t Like Free Speech

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We have been hearing quite a bit lately about the state attorneys generals’ attempts to require information from corporations, non-profit think tanks, university research centers and even individuals regarding so-called “climate denial.”  The AGs have alleged that these entities have withheld information that acknowledges the reality and danger of climate change and thus have committed fraud.  Their favorite analogy is the tobacco companies whose memos contained explicit recognition of dangers but did not release it to the public.  In that… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Constitutional Issues, Global Warming/Climate Change, Government Power, Politics--General

13

Totalitarianism of the Left

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Berean Jeff Haymond wrote a blog yesterday which overlapped my blog, but you should read both.  His is broader.  Mine focuses on the global climate change issue. A recent Rasmussen poll indicates that 27% of Democrats surveyed favor prosecuting those who do not agree with global warming.  Here is the question from the Rasmussen Report of November 9-10, 2015: 2* Should the government investigate and prosecute scientists and others including major corporations who question global warming? To be sure, 68% said the… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Global Warming/Climate Change, Politics--General

24

The Radical Left is getting larger. This is a scary poll…

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Yesterday’s headlines included Rasmusson’s poll results on how many people want the government to prosecute people who don’t believe in global warming.  The title of the article, Little Support of Punishing Global Warming Foes, belies the seriousness of the actual results.  Let’s summarize the results, (copied from the Rasmusson link): 68% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose the government investigating and prosecuting scientists and others including major corporations who question global warming. over one-in-four Democrats (27%), however, favor prosecuting those who don’t… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Global Warming/Climate Change

3

Global Climate “Lukewarmness”

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I have been listening on Econtalk, a podcast production by economist Russ Roberts, to an interview with Matt Ridley, who calls himself a “lukewarmer” regarding climate change (by the way, I highly recommend Econtalk).  To be a “lukewarmer” is to believe climate change is probably man-made, but not dangerous.  Now before I get criticisms for being a climate skeptic, I concede that science is not settled, despite what climate advocates argue.  The two positions on either side of the spectrum… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Featured, Global Warming/Climate Change, Politics--General, Poverty, regulation, Religion and Science

Part Two: Pope Francis Encyclical on Climate Change

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This is Part Two of my long blog concerning Pope Francis’s global climate change (and generally environmental and poverty focused) encyclical Laudato Si, issued last Thursday.  I am a little to sorry to say this part will be at least as long as the first, but look at this way:  You could read the full encyclical.  The document runs to 183 pages and as I read it, I found it to be somewhat rambling.  Beyond that, I am afraid the… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Bad Theology, Crony Capitalism, Economic Growth, Economic Liberty, Global Warming/Climate Change, Religion & Politics, Religion and Science, Theological Thinking

4

Papal Platitudes, Global Warming and the New Encyclical: Part One

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Pope Francis issued his long-awaited encyclical today, entitled, Ladato Si or “Praise to You [O Lord].”  The 183 page document is concerned with the environment and more specifically with global climate change.  I am in the process of making my way through it, but have a few initial comments get things going.  First, the Pope rightly states that theology is crucial to thinking about economics and the environment.  We Protestants might say Scripture is particularly crucial, though many also recognize… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Bad Theology, Economic Growth, Global Warming/Climate Change, How not to do political economy, Poverty, Religion & Politics, Religion and Science, Theological Thinking

1

The Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement

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This short blog is just a follow-up to my colleague Jeff Haymond’s blog on the trade agreement before Congress now.  Dr. Haymond defended the agreement on the correct grounds that it enhanced free trade and that free trade is good for everyone, at least in the longer run (and given some short-run and inevitable disruptions).  I fully agree with him, but in recent weeks I have had increasing concerns. 1.  Why is the agreement being kept secret? 2.  Why should… Continue Reading ››

Posted in: Economic Growth, Foreign Policy, Free-trade, Global Warming/Climate Change, International Trade Policy